Frei determined to make the right headlines

BASEL, Switzerland, May 26: triker Alex Frei will looking to make amends at the World Cup in Germany after making headlines for all the wrong reasons during Switzerland's disappointing Euro 2004 campaign.

Although probably still best remembered abroad for the spitting incident that saw him sent home early from Portugal and given a three-match ban, the 26-year-old forward has long since rehabilitated himself in the eyes of his Swiss fans.

Of course it helps that the Rennes striker has never let any off-the-pitch difficulties get in the way of his goalscoring which has always been prolific both at club and country level.

By the time Switzerland secured their place at Germany 2006 with a two-legged playoff win over Turkey, Frei could look back on 23 goals in 42 international matches.

Fast and powerful despite his slight, 73-kg frame, Frei is a player who reads the game well and can therefore usually be found in the right place at the right time.

Although he is still reluctant to talk about the event that saw him briefly turned into a national villain, he claims to have matured a good deal since Euro 2004.

His admirable composure during the closing stages of Switzerland's turbulent play-off match in Istanbul suggested this may be true and it seems highly improbable that Frei will leave Germany as he left Portugal.

If there is to be further disappointment this time, it is more likely to be health-related. The biggest question mark concern an operation that Frei underwent on a niggling groin strain back in February.

Switzerland are perhaps slightly less dependent upon their top scorer now than they were at Euro 2004 when fellow striker Marco Streller was also absent.

If the team are to reach their full potential in Germany, however, it is hard to see them doing it without a fully fit Frei.

REUTERS PM BD0950